2026-10-13T13:15:13Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/34036904 2026-09-30T20:38:12Z category_7 category_12 category_272 category_106 category_931 portal_87 item_type_6 month_year_09_2026

Current status of 3D-printed human ossicles: a systematic review Elissa Suleiman (25146221) Steven Arild Wuyts Andersen (7874462) Adam Omari (25146224) Medicine Cell Biology Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified Science Policy Information Systems not elsewhere classified Temporal bone printing three-dimensional ear ossicles middle ear <p>Three-dimensional (3D) printed ossicle models may be useful in education and clinical practice, but accurate replication remains challenging.</p> <p>To systematically review 3D-printed ossicles to map replication methods, factors influencing accuracy, and suggest needed innovations for higher accuracy.</p> <p>PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception through June 2025. Two reviewers independently screened for final inclusion. Data on imaging, segmentation, 3D-printing-technology, materials, and post-processing were extracted. Educational studies were appraised using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument. A panel of otosurgeons rated ossicle images for realism and visualization.</p> <p>Sixty-five studies were included. Most models embedded ossicles in healthy temporal-bones (<i>n</i> = 46), with fewer pathological (<i>n</i> = 6) or stand-alone models (<i>n</i> = 13). Stapes was often absent or poorly reproduced, whereas malleus and incus were usually recognizable. Higher realism was associated with micro-CT or cone-beam-CT combined with stereolithography or PolyJet-printing. These photopolymer-based technologies allowed ossicle mobility in selected models. However, reporting of replication methods and anatomical accuracy was often limited, constraining deeper comparison between studies.</p> <p>Accurate ossicle replication is emerging but depends on optimization of imaging, processing, and 3D-printing. Standardized reporting is needed to improve comparison between methods and support use in training and reconstruction.</p> 2026-09-30T20:38:12Z Text Journal contribution 10.6084/m9.figshare.34036904.v1 https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Current_status_of_3D-printed_human_ossicles_a_systematic_review/34036904 CC BY 4.0